Ancient_and_modern_York_a_guide
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MOliEEN YOEK. 109<br />
old baile, with nine towers to Micklegate Bar; <strong>and</strong> between<br />
it <strong>and</strong> North-street postern ten towers ; the postern was<br />
opposite to the tower at Lendal to draw the chain over the<br />
river between them."<br />
In the siege of <strong>York</strong> by the parliamentarian army, in<br />
1644, the walls were much injured. Breaches were<br />
made in several places, <strong>and</strong> in almost all quarters the<br />
effects of the furious cannonading were visible. In 1645,<br />
it is true, some efforts were made to repair the walls ; <strong>and</strong><br />
in 1648, Micklegate, Walmgate, <strong>and</strong> Bootham Bars were<br />
also repaired ; but such was their dilapidated state in the<br />
year 1719, that Torr, whose work on the antiquities of<br />
the city was published in that year, says, " But all<br />
things here are subject to time <strong>and</strong> change ! The not<br />
long since devouring civil war, <strong>and</strong> unnatural rebellion,<br />
as it made prodigious waste in this kingdom, it had most<br />
malignant effects <strong>and</strong> influences on this ancient <strong>and</strong> loyal<br />
city, as its surrender to the then irresistable force of the<br />
rebel army had on the whole nation ; <strong>and</strong> ever since that<br />
fatal epocha, its gr<strong>and</strong>eur has gradually declined <strong>and</strong><br />
sunk." In the year 1831, however, a vigorous effort<br />
was made to raise funds for their restoration. The corpor<br />
ation voted one hundred pounds, <strong>and</strong> by the active exertions<br />
of several noblemen <strong>and</strong> gentlemen, a considerable sum<br />
was raised. The lady mayoress, Mrs. Oldfield, set on<br />
foot a subscription among the ladies ; <strong>and</strong> the fair<br />
daughters of <strong>York</strong> responded with becoming public spirit<br />
to the call made upon them, to testify their regard for<br />
these venerable historical monuments that give so peculiar<br />
a character to the city. The entire restoration of the walls<br />
from North-street Postern to Micklegate Bar was effected<br />
at a cost of £1,067 17s. Gd; <strong>and</strong> from that bar again to<br />
Skeldergate Postern, at an expense of £1,725 Is. 6c?. They<br />
completely encompass that part of the city which is situated<br />
on the western side of the river Ouse ; <strong>and</strong> now form a<br />
most delightful walk ; comm<strong>and</strong>ing, on one side, a view of<br />
the south part of <strong>York</strong> Minster, Clifford's Tower, ths<br />
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